It's late and I'm tired. I don't want to get out of the habit of blogging daily, so here I am. Now what did I want to say....oh yeah, this morning at the gym I ran a straight mile on the treadmill. Now that I think about it I probably could have run longer but I'd told myself to get to a mile, so tomorrow I'm going to tell myself get to 1.5 miles. It's so funny because just 2 weeks ago I could only run for 3 mins and yesterday I started running and thought I was Forrest Gump..."I just kept running and running.." Yeah, that was me!
Running feels great. It really does work everything and my everything is a little sore too. I can deal with it b/c it lets me know that I'm feeling it in all the right places. My 5K on New Year's Day was great. I was running with people, young, old, runners, non-runners, it was a great mix of people. There were some that were obviously competitive, but for the most part, we all just wanted to start the year off right. Hence it's name the "Resolution Run". It was great and I feel like I'm so unstoppable! Unfortunately I've got to stop now b/c it's almost 11pm EST and I've got to be up a 4:30am to get to the gym on time. So I'm out, sorry for the quickie folks, but a sista is tired!
So the Lord has blessed me to embark on 2007! What a wonderful Word I received last night from our Bishop. He says that 2007 is my year of open doors! I receive that Word! Today I'm going to kick a door down. I'm running a 5k, yeah, that's about 3.16 miles if I'm not mistaken. Can I do it...OH YEAH! I will do it. This is only step 1 of my marathon training. This is exciting. Experiencing new levels, breaking through strongholds, setting new precedence. This is what life is all about! I'm off to the races!
I've always said that one of my goals would be to run a half marathon. Well, it appears my opportunity has presented itself. My friend Shun (the marathon runner) called me yesterday to tell me about the ING Marathon here in Atlanta on March 25th. She said I needed to decide ASAP because I would need to start training immediately, like Monday, Jan. 1. So I've been thinking about this every since she asked and part of me wants to do it and I guess apart of me is afraid. I'm also not thrilled about the $70 registration fee, but that's not the real reason (it kinda is...that's STEEP!)
Shun, of course, has agreed to provide me with a training schedule and get me ready, but she will only disclose the information once I commit. I asked her to send me the information so I could wrap my mind around it and she said, "No, you will commit first and then I will give you the information. I don't want you skimming through the information, you need to first make a committment. When you're ready to commit give me a call."....CLICK! The phone went dead. She is soooo serious about this and takes great pride in being a runner. She's training a team right now for a full marathon. I won't waste her or my time with this, so I'm going to think it over long and hard b/c she's a HARDCORE trainer!
The Atlanta Track Club (ATC) is having a Resolution 1mile, 5/10K run tomorrow afternoon up in Cobb County. I think I'm going to get up and run the 5K. There's only a $5 entry fee, plus I wanted to run New Year's Day anyway. I think I'm going to think about it a little more before I commit to training for a half-marathon. I will definitely get up and run tomorrow morning. That's how I want to start my New Year!!
Just barely, but out nonetheless! I'm very happy!! So glad to be closer to the goal than before. To me if feels like graduating to the next grade or something, except I'm downgrading to a lesser tier, and that's a good thing. Danielle, thanks for the tip on weighing in. I made sure today that I only did cardio and I weighed myself before getting in the shower too. I had a feeling that today I was going to see 22X?. I was hoping for more like 227 but I'll take 229.2. It's the beginning of my downward trek towards the 210's. Before long I'll be out of the 200's all together??? IMAGINE THAT?? What a motivation. Numbers do matter in this game, and I'm playing to win!!!!
I finished the book, YOUR BEST LIFE NOW by Joel Osteen a couple weeks ago and I would recommend it to anyone. It is a great book and left me with a lot of positive thoughts and plans for my future. For me, 2007 represents a new beginning, a fresh start from day 1. I think a lot of people have that feeling hence New Year's Resolution. My I suppose if I resolve to do anything, it is to LIVE MY BEST LIFE NOW! Today in fact, I choose to live my best life NOW! Why wait until Dec. 29th? I'm not promised to see tomorrow, but today is what I have and I intend to live every day to the fullest!
There is so much I want to do in 2007. I will definately be traveling a lot more. Even if only on weekend trips to places I've never been. There is so much of the world that I have yet to discover. In fact, I've never been out of the country, but that will soon change. I have a very good friend who just started her travel business and the girl can put together great last minute trips! I've always wanted to travel to exotic places, but I guess it just wasn't my time, mentally. I want to wear a swimsuit, a bikini even and not feel like everybody is looking at me in utter disgust. It's probably true that a lot of that kind of thinking is "me" but I'm sure I'm not alone.
I've been obsessing lately about making my 50lb year-end goal and getting out of the 230's and not really appreciating the successes along the way (SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORT ME AND LEAVE WORDS OF SUPPORT AND KINDNESS WHILE I SPASS OUT) It's less about how quick I get it off and more about the consistency and doing things the right way. I totally get it, but I'm goal oriented and while I will maintain my goals, even if somewhat lofty, they keep me pushing forward. Right this second I'm pondering how I'm going to get my treadmill from B'ham to Atlanta withough incurring the cost of renting a van/truck and picking it up myself. I really don't want to spend another weekend on the road, but I want to get this treadmill in place ASAP! Once I get that thing in my house I will be lethal!!! HaHaHaHa ( devilish laughter)
Living my BEST LIFE NOW means that I will celebrate every new day that I see. I will positively reinforce the good decisions I make and be thankful for the experience to learn from the ones that maybe weren't so good. Life is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. I am thrilled about the weight I've lost and all that I've gained from the experience. I appreciate all of you who read my blogs and share in my experience. You encourage me more than I could tell you. I'm determined, encouraged, motivated, dedicated and invested into living my BEST LIFE NOW!!
is what I keep telling myself. I had a wonderful Christmas with my family and friends. I enjoyed a really good, balanced Christmas dinner too. This morning when my alarm went off at 4:30am I did not want to get up. I'm actually more pissed about having to be at work for the remainder of the week than getting up for the gym. I will have to be more strategic with my vacation time in 2007. Nevertheless, I pulled myself up from the comforts of my bed and got rolling. Once I arrived at the gym, I realized that I was the ONLY one there! Other than the guy who unlocks the doors, nobody but me and machines. I started my cardio and two of my other work-out gal-pals came in. We were all smiling b/c we were glad to see one another. We did not want to conquer this day alone. We really worked each other out. We did our cardio, then abs and then weights. I felt pretty good about it all until I went downstairs to weigh in. During my entire shower all I could think about was "have I finally left the 230's?" Well, according to the scale, the answer is NO! In fact, I weigh exactly the same thing I weight on Friday when TOM showed up. How can that be? Am I still retaining water? MAN!!! I AM SO SICK OF BEING THIS CLOSE BUT NOT THERE!!!!
I can't still be holding on to water, so what's the deal? Why can't I break free of the 230's???? Seriously, I don't know what else to do. I'm just going to keep going, and what happens just happens. I've been working out like somebody possessed and eating right, drinking tons of water too. I feel like Wylie must have felt that time we weighed in and hadn't lost a doggone pound after putting himself through boot-camp. This plateau sucks and I've got to get out of it!!!
As I'd planned I got up at 4:30am to prepare for my mornings run. I met Shun at the middle school promptly at 5am. She explained the route we were going to run and we were off! I usually start off walking and warm-up to a run, but she insisted that we should start running first. So I an entire block and started to get a little winded so I slowed down to a power walk. Shun was coaching me along the way and I really needed it b/c my hands felt like ice. We started up a hill and I leaned in and chugged up until I started to feel winded again and then I down graded to a power walk. At our 1 mile mark we stopped and stretched. I had phylm coming from everywhere it seemed. My nose was running and eyes watering. I've never ran in cold weather, this was a first.
I feel proud to run next to my friend Shun. She was really patient and encouraging with me. She could have easily ran our route 20 times but she kept my pace and wasn't being a "show-off" Its so different running on the street than it is running the track. I actually like the street better. Even though it was really dark (sun didn't rise until 6:30am) and cold, I feel like I accomplished a lot. I got up this morning even though I was tired from hanging out late skating. Something got caught under my wheel and I hit the floor HARD bruised both my knees (which are both swollen now) but "Still I Rise!" I got up and kept it moving. I kept my word to myself and that is more important than anything. I realize I could have justly decided that I wasn't going to go with my sore, swollen knees but my knees don't hurt when I walk, so I figured they wouldn't hurt when I ran either, and they didn't! I'm so glad that I followed through and so glad that I have friend who cares enough about me to get up with me to run. That's what friends are for!
I think the phrase “self-control” has been so overused that it has completely lost its effectiveness. A simple reversing of the words gives a powerful statement, “control self.” It’s like an action word instead of a description. I have to control myself and not allow myself to control me. See the difference? My eyes want what they see, my mouth wants what looks and smells good and appeases the eye, but that is not always what I need. It’s hard to make quick decisions, especially when it comes to food. Some things I can look at and easily turn away, but then there are some things that just the thought of it makes my mouth water. Like Pavlov’s dog, salivating at the thought of food. The sensation of food passing through my mouth makes me salivate. To me that is not controlling self. I often wonder why does food have such a stronghold on so many people? It was easy for me not to be a smoker, an alcoholic, or a drug abuser, but what is it about food? Gratifying sensations is something we learn from infancy. There is something gratifying about having something in our mouths. Whether its food, a cigarette, a bottle of alcohol, gum or whatever, why does something need to constantly be in our mouths? If we could unlock the mystery behind that, a lot of people could be set free, if they so choose.
Until then, we have to deal with our vices as best we can. So I commit to:
Controlling my self. I will not allow others to influence me to do things that will impede my progress.
I will make sound decisions that I can live with, even if no one else likes it.
I will live my life with no regrets.
I will do what’s best for Felecia’s mental, spiritual, financial and physical health.
I will ALWAYS keep my eyes on the goal, no matter how far it seems.
I realize that the “resolution” first starts in my mind. The only person that can keep me from my goals is ME
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As my Pastor often says, “Sometimes the ENEMY is the INNER ME” It’s a total mentality change. I’ve never been force fed or tied down and told “don’t you dare exercise
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” Quite the contrary actually. But now I GET IT
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I got it and I ain’t letting it go for nobody
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LET’S GET IT
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I didn’t get to blog yesterday b/c by the time I got home; well…blogging was the furthest thing from my mind. I had some errands to run after work which included picking up one last gift and all the ingredients for my sweet potato pies. All in all, it wasn’t a bad trip, but I ended up in 3 different stores when I’d only planned to go to one. Nevertheless, that is done now and I can focus on the rest of the things I need to do before work tomorrow morning. Yes, I’m working tomorrow b/c I have 0 vacation left. Tonight I will have to do laundry and pack and make my pies, all while making sure that I’m done with all that in time to get in bed by a decent hour so that I can get up at 4:30am to get my work-out in before leaving tomorrow afternoon. It may not sound like a lot but it is. Sweet potato pies have to been monitored; don’t want to under/over cook them. They have to be just right.
Although I do enjoy the holidays, the preparation is for the birds. I would much rather just show up smiling wishing everyone a “MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ! ” It takes so much to produce for Christmas. I mean, what about people that can’t afford the holiday hype. I would love to just go home, fellowship with my loved ones and that be it. Everything is so commercialized that if you don’t come through the door with a gift in hand, people will look at you like you’re crazy. What is up with that? I detest when people “expect” things from me. I will go out of my way to make sure you don’t get it. My philosophy is “don’t plan my money, you don’t make it, you can’t spend it ! ” I have a cousin who sends out a list of things she wants for Christmas. She’s giving us a choice…the nerve of some people. That really irks me ! She is what I like to call “extra” anyway. Completely consumed with herself and nobody else. My Mom is much nicer than me, she will comply and pick something from her list, but I just don’t give her anything but a cordial “Hello” and “Merry Christmas”. Ok, enough about my dysfunctional family.
The home-visit plan is in place. I will be working out everyday that I’m away from Atlanta . My friend Shun is a runner. I mean this girl runs marathons, so I’ve probably set myself up; but I’m looking forward to the challenge. She will surely help me to push through all barriers I’ve formed in my mind about running. My long-term goal is to run a half marathon. I want to have the runner’s stamina and energy. Shun is a ball of energy. She will be 29 Saturday, has an almost 2-year-old daughter and could wear out a nursery full of children. Her spirit is so genuine. God has really blessed me with great people in my life. With that, I’ll close. Let’s be grateful this Christmas for all the blessings we’ve received all our lives, not just this year. We have a lot to be thankful for. God is indeed good all the time. Instead of expecting a “gift” in the form of a material substance, expect to enjoy your family and friends. That is truly the gift at Christmas !
"I'm every woman, it's all in me!" I'm feeling like what Shaka Khan coined in that song. Today has been busy, busy, busy. This morning I got up and worked out, I don't sacrifice those for nobody. However, it's month-end, quarter-end and year-end so I've been really busy. Additionally, my co-worker released that he was resigning and his last day is the 28th, so guess who gets awarded his portfolio???? You know it ! I guess the reward for good work is more work. According to my manger, they will start immediately after the holiday interviewing to fill his responsibility. I have the entire West Coast portfolio of my own and adding the Mid-West was not something I wanted for Christmas
I've started strategizing for my visit home this weekend. I've already called my friends and cousins and told them that I want to work-out, I WILL NOT FALL OFF because of my time away. I plan to exercise Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before I leave to return to Atlanta. I've got to do this because...well you know...I've got a goal to meet. On my mid-afternoon workout I decided to step up my intensity on the stepper and boy could I immediately feel the difference. I wanted to stop so many times, but I just kept reminding myself of the success on the other side of completing, and that was enough to get me through. While I'm in the shower I get a chance to reflect and have some my and God time. He's really the one who makes it all happen. I could never take all the credit. He is truly my strength!
Tomorrow I have to get some last minute shopping done. My cousin has requested that I make sweet potato pies b/c I'm the only one who knows my Grandmother's secret recipe. Those pies are good, but if I'm making them, I'm less likely to eat it. Why is that? I don't know for sure, but usually after baking I don't even want any of it. I hope that is the case tomorrow night. I've also got to get my brother a gift. I was shocked that my Momma asked me what I wanted him to get me. Since he totally neglected to wish me Happy B'day I wasn't expecting a Christmas gift. I told him to get me Robin Thicke's cd, its a good one.
Anyway, I'm on here late and kinda tired. I left work late and still had to do all the things I have to do before going to bed. But I wanted to be consistent with my blogs. Its also therapeutic to release the day. Ahh....ready for bed now. To all of you who are just starting or starting to get discouraged....
devilish laughter)
Seriously, I don't know what else to do. I'm just going to keep going, and what happens just happens. I've been working out like somebody possessed and eating right, drinking tons of water too. I feel like Wylie must have felt that time we weighed in and hadn't lost a doggone pound after putting himself through boot-camp. This plateau sucks and I've got to get out of it!!!
) but "Still I Rise!" I got up and kept it moving. I kept my word to myself and that is more important than anything. I realize I could have justly decided that I wasn't going to go with my sore, swollen knees but my knees don't hurt when I walk, so I figured they wouldn't hurt when I ran either, and they didn't!
